Tag: Employee Engagement

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Great Tech Isn’t Just Cool – It’s Smart Business

Posted on | by David Smith

Great Tech Isn’t Just Cool  –  It’s Smart Business

Let’s be honest  –  there’s an overwhelming amount of technology available. New platforms, shiny dashboards, endless “game-changers.” But when it comes to making your organisation actually run better, it’s not about the fanciest tools  –  it’s about the right ones working together.

That’s where we come in.

At The Learning Syndicate, we don’t just plug in random systems and hope for the best. We take a full-picture look at your setup  –  people, processes, and platforms  –  and find ways to make them work smarter. Whether you’re wrangling an e-commerce operation, managing a growing HR team, or looking to finally make sense of your data, we bring it all together so things just… flow.

Holistic > Haphazard

Plenty of tech partners throw tools at problems and hope something sticks. That’s not us.

We get in close (in a non-creepy way) and look at how your organisation really works. What’s slowing you down? Where are people duplicating effort? What systems are silently failing in the background?

When we know the full story, we can build solutions that actually fit. Seamless integrations that reduce friction. Automations that save your team hours. Real-time data that helps people make smart calls, fast.

It’s about aligning your tech with your goals  –  not the other way around.

Our Secret Weapon? Actual Humans

Behind all the shiny integrations and slick reports, there’s a team of real people who love solving tricky problems. Our crew are into systems like most people are into coffee or Netflix  –  they get excited about APIs and love untangling digital messes.

We throw them into brainstorming sessions (yes, pizza is involved), explain your challenges, and let them work their magic. The result? Real-world solutions that make your life easier  –  not more complicated.

And we don’t ghost you after go-live, either. We stick around, optimise, and support your team as your needs evolve.

What We Plug In

Whether you’re scaling up or simplifying, we’re ready to help connect the dots:

  • E-commerce platforms – From Shopify to WooCommerce, we’ll help you streamline sales and inventory.
  • CRM systems – Get a 360° view of your customers and make sure your marketing, sales, and service teams are all singing from the same sheet.
  • HR systems – Automate onboarding, simplify payroll, and keep your people data in one tidy place.
  • Data & reporting – Say goodbye to spreadsheet chaos and hello to dashboards that actually make sense.

And yes, we integrate it all  –  so your systems talk to each other and your team isn’t stuck copying data from one screen to another.

The Big Picture? Better Learning

The cool part? Once your systems are running smoothly, you unlock a massive side benefit: better learning.

When teams aren’t bogged down by admin or stuck wrestling with clunky tools, they’ve got more time (and brainspace) to grow. Plus, clean data and joined-up systems make it easier to spot skills gaps, personalise training, and track development across your business.

So while we’re nerding out over automations and APIs, we’re really in it for the bigger picture  –  helping people learn, improve and do their best work.

Let’s Make It Work (Better)

If you’re ready to ditch the tech chaos and build something that actually supports your business, drop us a line. Or check out some of the ways we’ve helped other organisations get their digital house in order.

Because good tech isn’t just about ticking boxes  –  it’s about creating space for people to thrive.

What Next?

Ready to take the next step? We help organizations like yours get serious about learning tech – with LMS consultancy, expert Totara LMS & LXP implementations, seamless Totara upgrades, smart Totara e-commerce, and secure Totara proctoring solutions. Whether you’re scaling your platform or starting fresh, our team brings clarity, speed, and sharp execution. Check out what we do – Totara LMS & LXP and LMS consultancy – and then get in touch. Let’s make your tech work harder, so your people don’t have to.

Unlock the Power of Totara Engage to Boost Learner Engagement

Posted on | by David Smith

If you’re looking to take your learning programs to the next level and supercharge employee engagement, look no further than Totara Engage. Whether you’re a business using it alongside Totara Learn or as a standalone product, Totara Engage helps your organization shift from passive learning to active, collaborative knowledge-sharing. In this guide, we’ll explore how to get started with Totara Engage and maximize its potential in your organization.

Why Choose Totara Engage?

Totara Engage goes beyond traditional training approaches by integrating both formal and informal learning, fostering collaboration, and allowing employees to create and curate their own learning materials. With its rich integration with Microsoft Teams, users can effortlessly collaborate and share resources. But here’s the kicker – Totara Engage enables users to move from simple consumers of learning content to creators and collaborators.

By creating a more engaged and empowered workforce, organizations can significantly improve productivity and employee satisfaction. It can help you tackle challenges such as onboarding, performance support, and employee engagement with innovative solutions like collaborative workspaces, curated learning playlists, and rich social learning features. 

Getting Started with Totara Engage

To ensure a smooth rollout, it’s important to have a plan. Here’s a quick start guide for implementing Totara Engage in your workplace:

  • Seed Content
    Before launching the platform, create and upload sample content. It can be as simple as a guide on how to use the system, a playlist of internal resources (such as templates), or even internal news updates to get everyone familiar with the platform’s potential.
  • Set Up Collaborative Workspaces
    Totara Engage shines in its ability to bring teams together. Create dedicated workspaces for your departments – like marketing or sales – where employees can collaborate on projects, share knowledge, and offer feedback in real-time. If you’re looking for inspiration, this guide shows how workspaces can make project coordination seamless.
  • Curate Learning Playlists
    A powerful feature of Totara Engage is its ability to curate learning playlists. These playlists can be filled with articles, videos, and podcasts to suit a variety of learning styles. For example, a playlist on leadership development might include TED Talks, blog articles, and internal training videos. The best part? Playlists are flexible and can be tailored to any topic or project.
  • Recruit Learning Ambassadors
    Identifying enthusiastic early adopters is a smart move. These individuals can act as learning ambassadors, creating and curating content that will drive platform adoption. Reward them to maintain momentum – perhaps through gamification or public recognition within the platform itself.
  • Soft Launch
    Start with a soft launch before going live across the organization. This allows team leads and early adopters to populate the platform with meaningful content. You’ll also be able to troubleshoot any issues before opening it up to everyone.

Maximizing the Potential of Totara Engage

With the platform in place, it’s important to continuously promote and enhance engagement. Here are some ways to get the most out of Totara Engage:

  • Learner Engagement Reports
    Keep track of which content resonates the most with users through learner engagement reports. Identify top-performing resources, highlight active contributors, and pinpoint any areas where engagement is lagging. Check out how data-driven insights can transform learning experiences.
  • Integrations for Seamless Learning
    One of the standout features of Totara Engage is its integration with Microsoft Teams. Users can access content, collaborate, and share knowledge without switching platforms, creating a seamless learning experience. Whether it’s creating a playlist or launching a survey, everything happens within the flow of work.
  • Gamification and Recognition
    To keep users coming back, build in opportunities for reward and recognition. Employees can rate and comment on shared resources, turning learning into a social and engaging activity. Consider running a monthly competition for the most highly-rated content or recognizing top contributors during company meetings.

Wrap-up

Totara Engage is a game-changer for organizations that want to increase learner engagement and foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. By taking advantage of its collaborative workspaces, curated playlists, and seamless integrations, you can transform your learning environment into one that’s dynamic and future-ready.

Ready to take the leap? Discover how Totara Engage can revolutionize your training programs with a free demo.

 

Revamping Onboarding Processes

Posted on | by David Smith

Onboarding in the New Normal: How to Get It Right

The world of work has shifted dramatically over the past few years. With the rise of remote and hybrid work models, many businesses are finding their traditional onboarding practices a little… well, outdated. Let’s be honest, new hires don’t want to feel like they’re just ticking boxes in a generic orientation program. Instead, they expect a tailored, connected, and meaningful experience from day one. So, how can businesses onboard in a way that makes new employees feel like valued team members, even when working remotely?

Let’s dive into the key ways you can revolutionize your onboarding process for this “new normal.”

The Importance of Breaking Down Silos

One major problem in the onboarding process is the lack of coordination between departments. When HR, IT, and managers aren’t on the same page, new employees might feel lost. Imagine starting a new job and not knowing where to find important information, who to turn to for help, or even how to connect with your team. Not ideal, right?

When different departments, like learning and development, HR, and IT work in silos, employees can end up with a fragmented onboarding experience. Instead, onboarding should seamlessly combine learning, performance, and connection. For instance, having a system where a new hire’s learning modules are synced with their performance goals and opportunities for collaboration with their team would be a game-changer.

Totara Talent Experience Platform (TXP) is one tool that makes this possible. It helps organizations integrate learning, employee engagement, and performance management into one cohesive process. Learn more about Totara’s Talent Experience Platform here.

Learning: Beyond Just Courses

The heart of any good onboarding program is learning—but not just any learning. The days of endless PowerPoint slides or basic training videos are over. Today’s new hires crave interactive and personalized learning experiences that reflect the actual work they’ll be doing.

A solid learning management system (LMS) like Totara can help you set up adaptive learning paths, mandatory training, and certifications for new employees. But don’t stop at formal courses. People learn best by doing, and this is especially true for remote workers who miss the opportunity to naturally pick up knowledge from colleagues. You need to create spaces—like knowledge-sharing networks—where new hires can ask questions, share experiences, and learn in real-time.

Learn more about building an engaging learning experience with Totara here.

Connection: A Critical Piece in the Onboarding Puzzle

A remote worker might go weeks, or even months, without physically meeting their colleagues, so building connections becomes even more critical. You can’t expect new hires to thrive without a sense of belonging and support.

In a remote or hybrid environment, connections are formed through technology—chat tools, video conferencing, and collaborative platforms. But relying on these tools isn’t enough; you need to ensure they are used effectively. One way to do this is by using digital workspaces like Totara Engage, where employees can easily collaborate, ask questions, and work together on projects. A good workspace provides not just collaboration but also helps employees orient themselves with resources like org charts, company policies, and key contacts.

Personalization: Make It Matter to Them

Not every new hire is the same, so their onboarding experience shouldn’t be either. When you tailor the onboarding process to fit the specific needs of the role or individual, you not only make the experience more engaging, but you set your new employees up for success.

Totara’s platform allows you to create dynamic audiences, ensuring each employee gets the information they need when they need it. Whether it’s specific training, key company goals, or department-specific resources, a personalized onboarding experience helps employees feel valued and ensures they’re not overwhelmed with irrelevant information.

Psychological Safety: Don’t Overlook It

Let’s not forget one of the most important aspects of onboarding: psychological safety. Starting a new job can be nerve-wracking, especially when you’re remote and can’t easily turn to a colleague for help. Employees need to feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and learning as they go. Creating an environment of psychological safety from day one encourages open communication and fosters a culture of trust.

A simple way to build psychological safety is by pairing new hires with a mentor or “buddy” to guide them through the first few weeks. Regular check-ins and informal conversations can also go a long way in helping them feel supported.

In Conclusion

The shift to remote and hybrid work means that onboarding processes must evolve. By focusing on learning, performance, connection, and personalizing the experience, companies can create an onboarding program that not only welcomes new hires but sets them up for long-term success. And don’t forget the importance of psychological safety—helping your new employees feel safe to learn and grow in their new roles.

By integrating platforms like Totara TXP into your onboarding strategy, you can offer a unified, streamlined, and personalized experience that makes new employees feel like a part of the team from day one.

Check out how Totara can help transform your onboarding process here.

6 Easy Steps to Maximize Employee Engagement

Posted on | by David Smith

Maximizing Employee Engagement in 6 Simple Steps

Keeping employees engaged is key to success. Engaged employees are happier, work harder, and help businesses grow. So, how can you keep your team excited about their work?

Here are six easy steps to boost engagement!

1. Make Learning Easy

People love to learn, but they need access to good resources. If it’s hard to find learning tools, engagement drops. A Learning Experience Platform (LXP) can help. It puts useful content in one place, like guides or videos.

With the right tools, employees can even share resources with each other, keeping learning fun and easy.

2. Organize Information

There’s so much information out there. How do you find what’s useful? The answer: curation. Just like making a playlist, an LXP lets employees collect and share helpful resources.

This keeps things simple for everyone, whether they’re new to the team or have been around for years.

3. Encourage Teamwork

People don’t like working alone. When employees share ideas and learn together, they stay more engaged. Platforms like MS Teams or Slack let teams collaborate easily.

It’s like using a shared document but with more features for teamwork and feedback.

4. Celebrate Success

Everyone likes recognition. Whether it’s a badge or a shoutout, rewards show employees their work matters. Recognizing effort boosts morale and keeps people motivated.

When peers celebrate each other, it builds stronger connections and a positive work culture.

5. Make Learning Part of the Job

Stopping work to learn can feel disruptive. Integrating learning into daily tasks makes it easier. For example, quick learning prompts in Slack can keep employees engaged without pulling them away from work.

This approach makes learning feel natural and effective.

6. Track What Works

Data helps you see what’s working. Use reports to check which employees are engaged and what content they like. This info helps you adjust your strategy to keep things running smoothly.

Managers can also use data to spot top performers and those who need help, creating a better support system.

Ready to Get Started?

Improving engagement takes time and effort. Tools like Totara Engage can help you build a culture of learning and teamwork. Want to learn more? Request a demo today and see how Totara Engage can help your team thrive!

How to Increase Learner Engagement with Totara Engage

Posted on | by David Smith

Unlock the Power of Totara Engage to Boost Learner Engagement

If you’re looking to take your learning programs to the next level and supercharge employee engagement, look no further than Totara Engage. Whether you’re a business using it alongside Totara Learn or as a standalone product, Totara Engage helps your organization shift from passive learning to active, collaborative knowledge-sharing. In this guide, we’ll explore how to get started with Totara Engage and maximize its potential in your organization.

Why Choose Totara Engage?

Totara Engage goes beyond traditional training approaches by integrating both formal and informal learning, fostering collaboration, and allowing employees to create and curate their own learning materials. With its rich integration with Microsoft Teams, users can effortlessly collaborate and share resources. But here’s the kicker – Totara Engage enables users to move from simple consumers of learning content to creators and collaborators.

By creating a more engaged and empowered workforce, organizations can significantly improve productivity and employee satisfaction. It can help you tackle challenges such as onboarding, performance support, and employee engagement with innovative solutions like collaborative workspaces, curated learning playlists, and rich social learning features. 

Getting Started with Totara Engage

To ensure a smooth rollout, it’s important to have a plan. Here’s a quick start guide for implementing Totara Engage in your workplace:

1. Seed Content
Before launching the platform, create and upload sample content. It can be as simple as a guide on how to use the system, a playlist of internal resources (such as templates), or even internal news updates to get everyone familiar with the platform’s potential.

2. Set Up Collaborative Workspaces
Totara Engage shines in its ability to bring teams together. Create dedicated workspaces for your departments – like marketing or sales – where employees can collaborate on projects, share knowledge, and offer feedback in real-time. If you’re looking for inspiration, this guide shows how workspaces can make project coordination seamless.

3. Curate Learning Playlists
A powerful feature of Totara Engage is its ability to curate learning playlists. These playlists can be filled with articles, videos, and podcasts to suit a variety of learning styles. For example, a playlist on leadership development might include TED Talks, blog articles, and internal training videos. The best part? Playlists are flexible and can be tailored to any topic or project.

4. Recruit Learning Ambassadors
Identifying enthusiastic early adopters is a smart move. These individuals can act as learning ambassadors, creating and curating content that will drive platform adoption. Reward them to maintain momentum – perhaps through gamification or public recognition within the platform itself.

5. Soft Launch
Start with a soft launch before going live across the organization. This allows team leads and early adopters to populate the platform with meaningful content. You’ll also be able to troubleshoot any issues before opening it up to everyone.

Maximizing the Potential of Totara Engage

With the platform in place, it’s important to continuously promote and enhance engagement. Here are some ways to get the most out of Totara Engage:

1.  Learner Engagement Reports
Keep track of which content resonates the most with users through learner engagement reports. Identify top-performing resources, highlight active contributors, and pinpoint any areas where engagement is lagging. Check out how data-driven insights can transform learning experiences.

2. Integrations for Seamless Learning
One of the standout features of Totara Engage is its integration with Microsoft Teams. Users can access content, collaborate, and share knowledge without switching platforms, creating a seamless learning experience. Whether it’s creating a playlist or launching a survey, everything happens within the flow of work.

3. Gamification and Recognition
To keep users coming back, build in opportunities for reward and recognition. Employees can rate and comment on shared resources, turning learning into a social and engaging activity. Consider running a monthly competition for the most highly-rated content or recognizing top contributors during company meetings.

Wrap-up

Totara Engage is a game-changer for organizations that want to increase learner engagement and foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. By taking advantage of its collaborative workspaces, curated playlists, and seamless integrations, you can transform your learning environment into one that’s dynamic and future-ready.

Ready to take the leap? Discover how Totara Engage can revolutionize your training programs with a free demo.